20. What if I disagree with the settlement?
If you disagree with any part of the settlement (including the Injunctive Relief Settlement portion, and the lawyers' fees), you may object. You do not need to opt out of the damages settlement to make an objection. You must give reasons in writing why you think the Court should not approve the settlement and state whether your objection applies to just you, one of the classes, or all of the classes. You may also request in your objection to speak at the Final Approval Hearing. The Court may (but is not required to) permit you to speak at the Final Approval Hearing if you request to do so in your objection.
The Court will consider your views. The Court can only approve or deny the settlement — it cannot change the terms of the settlement. If the Court denies approval, no settlement payments will be sent out, and the lawsuit will continue. If that is what you want to happen, you may object. You may, but don’t need to, hire your own lawyer to help you.
To object, you must send a letter to the Court, or file electronically at https://ecf.cand.uscourts.gov, or file in person at any U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California location that:
(1) is postmarked or submitted online by January 31, 2025;
(2) includes your full name, and address;
(3) includes your NCAA ECID number if available;
(4) includes the case name and number (In re: College Athlete NIL Litigation, Case No. 4:20-cv-03919);
(5) states the reasons for your objection;
(6) states whether either you or your lawyer would like to speak at the Final Approval Hearing and your lawyer's name (if you have one); and
(7) includes your signature.
Mail the letter to:
Ronald V. Dellums Federal Building & United States Courthouse
c/o Class Action Clerk
1301 Clay Street
Oakland, CA 94612
Any objection to the proposed settlement must be in writing. If you file a timely written objection, you may, but are not required to and may not be allowed to, speak at the Final Approval Hearing, either in person or through your own attorney. If you speak through your own attorney, you are responsible for hiring and paying that attorney. The Final Approval Hearing time and date are subject to change; please check this website to confirm the current status of the hearing.